University of Virginia Library

ELSIE

“Do you love me?” Elsie asked,
And her rose-leaf dimples masked
'Neath a pleading look, the while
On her pouting lips a smile
Hovered, yet was out of sight
Like a star that's hid at night
By a filmy, flying cloud.
“Do you love me?” scarce aloud
Lovely Cousin Elsie said.
“Why no answer, Cousin Ed?
Do you hate me, then, or why
From Your Highness no reply?”
So the chiding witch ran on:
“In a moment I'll be gone;
Then too late, Sir No Gallant!
Quick! I'll tell my precious aunt
That you love me not,” she cries,
“That you hate me and despise.”
Flash the great, gray, long-lashed eyes;
Half in earnest now the girl;
Down the pretty corners curl
Of the tiny mouth, and lo!
From those eyes two tearlets flow;—
Just two kisses, and they go!
Like a sunburst after showers,
Like white light upon the flowers,
Now again the dimples show.
But she could not understand
Why so long the answer waited
For the loved and not the hated,
While he held that little hand,
And like a bird she sang and said,—
Half in earnest, half in fun,—
“Do you love me, Solemn One?
Do you love me, Cousin Ed?
Do you love me? Do you love me?
Love me, love me, Cousin Ed?”